Local government workers have voted to accept a revised offer from council employers after strike action earlier in the autumn, Unison has said.
The union said the deal paves the way for talks for 2025/26 on wage rises to a minimum pay rate of £15 an hour, a reduced working week and council finances.
The revised offer came after non-teaching staff in First Minister John Swinney’s Perth and Kinross constituency walked out in October for two weeks as part of the pay dispute, with schools in the area closed as a result.
Unison had rejected the pay offer from local government umbrella body Cosla of an hourly increase of 67p or 3.6%, whichever is higher.
However council leaders in September voted to impose the deal despite Unison’s opposition, saying GMB and Unite members had accepted it.
Unison, the largest of three unions representing local government workers, said this year’s pay negotiations have now concluded and it will look to next year.
The union’s Scotland’s local government committee chairwoman, Colette Hunter, said: “Workers’ resolve and action have secured a route to what they hope will be a decent pay deal that will be in people’s pockets from April 2025.
“The Scottish Government will now be in the room with unions and Cosla when discussions about next year’s wage rise begin.
“This will include a minimum pay rate of £15 an hour, a reduction in the working week, and the perilous state of council finances.
“Council staff have shown they will take a stand on pay. That is crucial in protecting public services.”
Cosla resources spokeswoman and lead negotiator Katie Hagmann welcomed the news that Unison members have accepted the offer.
She said: “I am delighted to be informed that Unison’s consultative ballot has resulted in acceptance of the additional elements offered in our letter to the unions on November 8.
“Acceptance of the additional elements means we are able to conclude the 2024/25 pay negotiations with an agreement from all three trade unions.
“Council leaders will receive a full update on pay at their meeting on November 29 and I would thank everyone for their hard work during these important negotiations.”
The Scottish Government has been asked for comment.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel